While it only came in the second game of the season, the Baltimore Orioles’ loss to the Boston Red Sox on Saturday will be hard to live down.
After scoring three runs in the top of the first inning and leading 7-1 after the top of the third, the Orioles were well-positioned to cruise to victory and a 2-0 start. And while the Red Sox would scrap back into it with four in the bottom of the third and two more in the seventh, Baltimore still led 8-7 heading into the bottom of the ninth inning. The Orioles were still in control.
Félix Bautista got the first two outs with little drama, striking out Rafael Devers retiring Justin Turner on a groundout. Masataka Yoshida then hit a fly ball to left field and it appeared as though Ryan McKenna would easily catch the ball to end the game.
Appearances were deceiving.
This was the play before Adam Duvall’s walk-off homer. ⚾️😬😬😬😬 pic.twitter.com/EimIXnzKxd
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) April 1, 2023
As bad as that was, the error didn’t tie the game or even put the tying run in scoring position. All Bautista had to do was retire Adam Duvall and Baltimore would still win.
But that was easier said than done.
Duvall, who was already having a monster game, capped it off by driving a walk-off home run just over the Green Monster.
Adam Duvall with a walk-off 2-run homer for the Red Sox, his 2nd blast of the day!
The Orioles led this game 7-1. ⚾️💣💣pic.twitter.com/CRq88E5Gf3
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) April 1, 2023
The Orioles broadcast on MASN (Mid-Atlantic Sports Network) summed up the loss perfectly.
Here's how the Orioles' meltdown vs the Red Sox looked and sounded with the Baltimore call on the MASN broadcast.
"A devastating and demoralizing defeat. Only game two, but it hurts a whole lot." ⚾️📺🎙️😬 pic.twitter.com/X7TcWbuviv
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 1, 2023
The MASN broadcasters were not the only ones to comment on the game’s incredible finish.
Red Sox fans say thank you, Ryan McKenna. pic.twitter.com/224YpxNZfJ
— Tyler Milliken ⚾️ (@tylermilliken_) April 1, 2023
Oh my goodness. Duvall homer. Just over the monster. That's 9-8 Boston. This place is going crazy. Orioles were up 7-1 in the third. They had out the third out in the ninth in Ryan McKenna's glove. What an awful loss this early. Yikes.
— Dan Connolly (@danconnolly2016) April 1, 2023
Pathetic.
DFA McKenna. Thats completely absurd.— Orioles Statistics (@OriolesStatist1) April 1, 2023
Orioles just ripped our hearts out…pic.twitter.com/EdkoVVx9Sb
— RAMEY (@HoodieRamey) April 1, 2023
